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news Europe joins the race for solid oxide fuel cells Webasto has been developing an APU system for some years. It will generate electricity from liq...

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Europe joins the race for solid oxide fuel cells Webasto has been developing an APU system for some years. It will generate electricity from liquid fuels using SOFC. H C Stark, and its subsidiary InDEC produce SOFC, components and materials. Starck purchased a majority shareholding in InDEC earlier this year (See Metal Powder Report, May 2003). The partners work closely together with the Fraunhofer Institute of Ceramic Technologies and Sintered Materials (IKTS) in Dresden. IKTS helps the partnership integrate single cells into stacks and to qualify the stacks for automotive applications.

TWO German companies have signed a co-operation agreement that will see the development of solid oxide fuel cell stacks (SOFC) that could blunt the drive towards 42-volt auto electrical systems. The agreement between H C Starck and Webasto is focused on the development of high-temperature SOFC for automotive applications and the partners plan to establish a basis for later mass production. The partners see close collaboration and the combination of their respective technological competences and market positions as an ideal basis on which to commercialise SOFC technology.

The SOFC stacks will be used in auxiliary power units (APU) to generate electricity on board vehicles, independently from the main engine. APU will cover the rising demand for electrical power in today's vehicles. They operate at high efficiency and provide continuous power, even when the engine is turned off. At the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) conference in Detroit earlier this year the potential advantages - and some of the risks of 42-volt systems in answering the growing demand for on-board power were extensively discussed. Solid oxide fuel cells could provide an alternative solution.

SMC Quality rating

New record high for EPMA membership

SMC Powder Metallurgy of Galeton, Pennsylvania, has passed the tough qualification tests to win accreditation to ISO/TS16949, a quality management system that satisfies the international auto business. Peter Lake, President of the SRI Quality System Register, said: "SMC has demonstrated effective implementation of a quality management system that satisfies the tough new auto standard for the manufacture of powder metal gears, sprockets, bearings and structural parts. "Their certification shows their automotive customers worldwide that the company is committed to being recognised as a long-term supplier of quality goods and services."

metal-powder.net

MEMBERSHIP of the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) grew to record levels of more than 260 in 2002. Of these, 164 are corporate members, broken down into 50 per cent component manufacturers, 36 per cent suppliers and 14 per cent end users and other institutions. The organisation launched a new version of its Health and Safety Guidelines,

a working document for industrialists, at the Valencia Conference and Exhibition last month and is to continue lobbying on the proposed introduction of the European New Chemicals Policy, which has potentially large implications for the industry. It was also announced that Euro PM 2005 would be an all-topic conference held in Prague.

Design competition opens THE Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) has opened the 2004 International PM Design Competition. Entries must be received by 27

February. The competition recognises outstanding achievements in the commercial production of PM components.

Patents and intellectual property to be discussed in Luxembourg THE importance of intellectual property and the latest developments in electronic tools and the Internet for patent information are to be discussed in Luxembourg at two conferences in a three-day session later this month. Epidos and Patinnova 03 are the biggest patents and innovation event in Europe this year and are supported by the European Commission's Directorate General for Enterprise and the European Patent Office. They are being staged from 10 - 12 November. Among the most important topics on the agenda will be various aspects of the proposed forthcoming Community Patent, a subject that has already caused controversy in Patent Attorney circles.

New polish for Institute of Corrosion THE UK'S Institute of Corrosion is (IC) launching a "new look" in a bid to encourage new members. The IC will be seeking to promote sound corrosion management practice, the advancement of costeffective corrosion control measures, and a sustained effort to raise awareness at all stages of design and manufacture. It estimates that corrosion costs the UK 4 per cent of GNP every year.

Sold out THE LATEST share offering by Umicore has been rapidly oversubscribed, with high levels of interest shown by North American investors.

November 2003 MPR

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